Gentleman’s Half Hose in Ringwood Pattern

by exercisebeforeknitting

I know what you’re thinking, right? Didn’t you just see a pair just like this a few weeks back? Knee socks? Really? In August? Who knits knee socks in July and August? Well, I do. And I am not alone: Christy and Joyousknits both finished this same pattern in July and Sarah started on a pair too.

These were the fastest socks I have ever knit: the pair took only five and a half days! Sadly, their rapid production says little about my speed a lot about the hours I spentglued to my books! As a bonus, I can cross off another Knitting Vintage Socks pattern: seven down, only 17 to go!

I did not alter the pattern at all and I found it to fit perfectly. I most certainly will use this stitch pattern again; it was fast and easy to memorize, involved little purling and produced a firm and not too stretchy fabric. I doubt I will even need to run elastic through the cuffs to keep these socks up but only wear will tell. And isn’t the texture of this stitch pattern wonderful?

The calf shaping briefly appeared to be too high but the socks fit remarkably well. I imagine the aggressive calf shaping placed higher up the leg contributes to keeping these socks up.

I cannot speak highly enough of this sock pattern. Leave it to Nancy Bush to use a terribly simple stitch pattern to create a snug, well shaped and attractive sock. While not too exciting to knit, this is ideal if you need a good, mindless, on the go sock pattern.

While I have more finished products waiting to be blogged, I thought I would leave you with a preview of some current work. I’m a bit disappointed that I have blogged only finished objects this summer. When I read knit blogs, I almost prefer reading works in progress posts over finished object posts, if only because I learn more from them. In the spirit of blogging WIPs as well as FOs, here are a few of the ongoing projects I have right now:

Aaron’s Aran is almost to the armhole divide but progress slowed to a halt when I had to rip a few inches. My love for this project has waned a bit purely because I loathe the Addi Lace needles I bought for it. I suppose some people must like brass needles but all I smell is metal: my hands, my yarn and my needles all reek of that awful, metallic smell. Ugh! I still love the sweater so I will finish it this fall but I will never buy another brass needle as long as I live.

I cast on for a tweedy yoked baby sweater to use up some New England Harrisville yarn I bought to swatch Aaron’s Aran. I will likely need to buy more yarn – so much for a stash buster project, right?

The dullest knitting projectKatharine Hepburn Cardigan progresses slowly, in large part because of the painfully boring stitch pattern. The back is done and blocked but I only have half of one front done.

I’ve been looking for a good, mindless sock-on-the go pattern to put on my list. *And* I loved this sock when I first got that book, so I think I may follow your lead. The fact that they look so good helps, too. So cute!

And ditto on the smell from those needles. I feel like a little kid who’s been running around getting sweaty for hours holding a handful of pennies. Drives me bonkers (I’m using them for the project I’m working on right now. I will say the smell is helping me knit faster so I can be done sooner!) but I love the tips. I talked to the folks at Skacel about it and – guess what – it has to do with our chemistry: some folks get that smell, some don’t. Some, even, get a weird black film – ew. So I’m just gonna take a sec to be grateful for only the smell, not the smell plus black schmutz.

I can’t believe you can have all those projects on the needles and study at the same time! You amaze me. Lovely lovely projects! I was pretty excited to see that you casted on the Fascine Braid Socks – thanks!!

That’s some nice stuff you’ve got going. Hmmm, you’re right, I too should post more WIP stuff, as it does help other knitters. I know I’ve learned a lot from other bloggers that way! Thanks for sharing.

Nuts, I just swatched for the Katharine Hepburn Cardigan and see what you mean by boring, but I hope it will be worth it in the end (yours will be finished before mine, so I’ll get to see if it’s worth it!). Love the kneesocks, too.

The socks are lovely but I have never knitted knee socks before – have to give it a try. I feel the same about the Addi lace needles as I hate the smell of metal – use it once & never again. Love the dresses that you made – you look so good in them.